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Chapter 1
Elyse
Magic and newfound energy filled me after my second death, and the power hummed under my skin like an adrenaline kick, as if I’d eaten a kilo of chocolate and washed it down with two gallons of energy drink. Getting out into the crisp air before the world woke up helped tame the power inside me. My life had changed so much since the gods arrived in town. Not to mention, Death, or X as we all called him, had been killing innocents and now was focusing his attention on me.
The sun crept over Chicago on Monday morning, turning the silvery quality of night into the brightest orange hues, and I powerwalked along an empty sidewalk. My backpack sat over my shoulder with my camera, since this was the best time of day for photos. I worked as a freelance photographer because it was the easiest job I was good at, which I could maintain while I fought to save humans from whatever the gods sent our way. A nine-to-five just wouldn’t cut it, and despite my struggles being divine in nature, I still had human bills to pay. The contrast staggered me sometimes.
I had a handful of recurring clients, mostly requiring photos for their website, which was fine by me. They gave me a brief and I delivered the shots they were after, meaning I worked on my own when I found the time. So, I made a living despite never having my head in the game. Recently, my “normal life” had taken a very serious backseat.
While nothing was going wrong, it was a good time to do some work, to get photos in while I could. Plus, aside from my images commissioned by several specific clients, I’d also taken images to sell as stock photos. Every bit counted. My work had a strong urban theme, and Chicago had some beautiful spots when the light hit it just right.
Lately, the sun had been out more. It had always been grim and overcast before. A result of pollution, everyone had said.
It took me a while to realize the gloomy days were largely because Apollo, the god of the sun and light, had rejected himself, and as he was back—love was a beautiful thing—the sun shone more. Not to mention, because he was in my life, I smiled more than I had in a long time.
I loved the outdoors, loved feeling the warmth on my face. It reminded me of Apollo’s kisses. Yep, I had to catch up with him later today. Maybe with Poseidon as well. I missed him, and I couldn’t believe I’d ever be so gushy over a guy… or several guys, in my case.
A warm breeze swooshed past, taking an empty chips bag with it. All the stores around me remained closed, and only the occasional car drove past.
But my mind refocused on X. I needed new weapons to give me a greater advantage in combat against him. I’d used knives, bo staffs, and nunchakus in the past, but I needed more. Every time I died, my power grew, and I became stronger. It felt as if I were being born again. Twice over, in my case. And I couldn’t go back to my old ways, not after experiencing this level of power with my speed and strength. I didn’t want ranged items like guns or arrows or anything cliché. Besides, I didn’t get the feeling X would shy away from a bullet. A firearm was so…human. Only the power behind the weapons could beat X.
For that, I needed a melee device, something used in hand-to-hand combat. I didn’t intend to use trauma items like clubs or anything similar. Instead, a daring, edgy item would work best. Maybe a different sword?
Ha. That would work wonderfully.
It’d been weeks since I last saw X or heard of the destruction he’d caused. It wasn’t that I’d forgotten about him, but I’d become a little lax. I trained hard and prepared for another fight with him, but he hadn’t killed in a while. Part of me started thinking about other things again—my hopes, my dreams, the lovers in my life. The possibility of a happy future.
I checked my phone. Poseidon and Apollo sometimes messaged me, and on occasion, Ares. But nothing from Hades.
It wasn’t like I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for him to message me or anything. But sometimes, I couldn’t stop thinking about him, and I yearned to talk to him. After our last few encounters, I shouldn’t have wanted anything to do with him. But he’d come to my rescue, along with the other three gods when X trapped me, and I’d never forget that moment when I realized that I wasn’t alone anymore when it came to battling Death. So now, I couldn’t stop hoping Hades would visit me.
But I had no idea what to think of our messed-up relationship. Who was he really? And how did he fit into this whole mess with X running around? I couldn’t work it out myself, so I’d waited for him come to me. And when he hadn’t, I let it go. Though he remained on my mind.
My phone pinged with a text just as I put it in my pocket, and when I unlocked the screen, I saw it was from Heracles.
Out of town. We’ll train later. I’ll call you when I get time.
I’d expected that, but I still sighed. I missed his company. He’d been so busy lately, going off by himself, being secretive. It wasn’t how he used to be. He’d been appointed by his old man, king of the gods, Zeus, to train the Lowe family to be the protectors were born to be. But as of late, my mentor was MIA.
I stopped, leaned my back against the window of a juice store, and dialed his number. Despite him being a demigod, Heracles had a cell phone, he lived in a condo, and he wore ripped jeans and muscle tees. It was one of the things I loved him about him—he was so damn down-to-Earth.
“Are you going to avoid talking to me again?” I asked when he answered.
“Thought you might be with one of your lovers,” he quipped, but there was no menace behind his words. He’d been the one who explained how gods often had multiple lovers, and the behavior was normal. That I shouldn’t fight my attraction to the four gods who’d burst into my world. But at the same time, something had changed in Heracles, and he’d pulled away from me.
I forced a giggle. “Come on. Don’t make fun of me. I’m starting to get this whole multiple-men thing is a part of who I am, but I’m not all the way there yet.”
Heracles chuckled, and I pictured his wide smile, the creases at the corners of his eyes when he laughed.
“You haven’t called me in ages,” I said. “You can’t just ditch our training sessions all the time. You’re supposed to teach me.”
“You hardly need to be taught anymore. You’re as strong as I am now.” A serious tone threaded his response. Was he upset my power had grown to the point where he was no longer needed?
His comment was a hell of a compliment. But I wasn’t satisfied. For so long, Heracles had been all I had, the only person who understood the two worlds I straddled, whom I confided in when things got too messed up to handle on my own. And part of me felt as if I’d lost a close friend, and it was somehow my fault.
“What’s been up with you?” I asked.
He hesitated, and I laughed in the silence.
